Case Study: Allergic Reaction to Penicillin

Compensation: £3,000

Cindy, 37 years old, Liverpool

JMW has helped a woman secure £3,000 after she suffered an allergic reaction when prescribed intravenous Augmentin, despite earlier informing medical staff of her allergy to penicillin.

Informing nursing staff of her allergy

When 37-year-old Cindy went into hospital to give birth to her 6th baby she informed the medical and nursing staff that she was allergic to penicillin. She was therefore fitted with a wristband warning of the sensitivity.

After the baby was born, the placenta failed to deliver, and so it was manually removed. Because of this (plus signs of a urinary tract infection) she was prescribed intravenous Augmentin (a common antibiotic closely allied to penicillin) despite the fact that her penicillin sensitivity was documented both in her notes and on her wristband.

Allergic reaction

Soon afterwards Cindy vomited and her arm and neck began to swell and she appeared confused. She then began to shake and feel very unwell. She had a headache, dizziness and blurred vision and swelling of both feet and ankles (pedal oedema). She felt so weak and ill that she was not able to care for her baby. After receiving 2 doses of Augmentin the mistake was realised and the antibiotic changed. She received an apology for the mistake.

Cindy continued to feel unwell until she was discharged from hospital and once at home slowly got back to normal with a lot of help from her mother and partner.

Settlement

After negotiations the case was settled. JMW obtained £3,000 compensation for Cindy.

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